When AI Chatbots Become Too Real

As a licensed therapist specializing in trauma recovery and helping people reclaim their sense of reality after coercive control, I've been watching a disturbing trend unfold. People are developing what mental health professionals are now calling "AI psychosis"—a state where heavy reliance on AI chatbots blurs the line between what's real and what's artificially generated.

This isn't a far-fetched scenario. It's happening right now to everyday people who started using AI chatbots for innocent reasons—help with work, creative projects, or simply someone to talk to when they felt alone. small340AI

Key Takeaway: "AI psychosis" describes a state where heavy reliance on AI blurs the line between reality and artificial generation, affecting individuals who initially sought AI for benign purposes.

What Is AI Psychosis?

AI psychosis refers to a psychological state where heavy reliance on AI chatbots causes confusion between reality and artificially generated content. Users may begin to believe the AI has genuine feelings, consciousness, or special insight into their lives—losing the ability to distinguish between human connection and algorithmic pattern-matching.

Understanding Coercive Control

Understanding Coercive Control: The Invisible Prison

Published: October 25, 2025

Coercive control is a pattern of behavior designed to dominate, isolate, and manipulate individuals through psychological, emotional, and social tactics. While often associated with intimate partner violence, coercive control is also a defining characteristic of high-control groups and cult-like organizations. Understanding these dynamics is essential for recognizing when relationships or group memberships have become harmful and potentially dangerous. Janice LaFountaine, LMFT, provides compassionate trauma-informed therapy for individuals seeking to heal from these experiences, offering online therapy throughout Washington state and Idaho.

Prompts for honesty within AI chatbot support

Using AI Chatbots as Therapeutic Tools: Smart Prompting for Better Self-Reflection

10-19-25

If you're using AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or similar tools for personal support or guidance, you're not alone. Across the globe, many find these digital assistants offer valuable perspectives and help process thoughts and feelings. However, understanding how these systems work—and how to use them effectively—can make them much more helpful for your personal growth and healing journey.

Understanding AI's Natural Tendency to Agree

AI chatbots are designed to be helpful and agreeable, which means they often validate whatever perspective you present. While validation feels good, it doesn't always serve your deepest growth. These systems learn from patterns in human conversation and tend to mirror back what they think you want to hear, creating what researchers call a "distorted mirror" effect.

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This agreeable nature can actually limit the chatbot's usefulness. When AI constantly affirms your viewpoint without gentle challenge, you miss opportunities for genuine self-reflection and critical thinking—two essential components of complex trauma recovery and personal development. As a trauma informed therapist, I emphasize the importance of developing these skills for lasting healing.